Obituaries

Ellen Virginia “Ginger” Krichbaum, age 83, of Elgin, formerly of St. Charles passed away unexpectedly Wednesday, October 2, 2019 at her home.

She was born June 14, 1936 in Detroit, Michigan to Fred E. and Mary Ellen Volkman. She was a proud graduate of University of Illinois with a bachelors degree in education.

Ginger is survived by her only sibling Fred (Carrie) Volkman; four children – Jim (JoAnne) Miller, Matt (Kim) Krichbaum, Kim (Marc) Branca and Rod (Tricia) Miller; nine grandchildren, Rachelle, Emily, Alec, Adam, Abby, Christine, Claire, Anna and Hannah and three great grandchildren, Titus, Shepherd, and Vera. Nephews Bill and Kip and niece Carrie Lyn.

Ginger’s love for people didn’t stop with her family. As an educator, she taught elementary school for over 30 years, primarily at Lily Lake school in Burlington School District 301. Her passion for teaching and students touched the lives of hundreds of children and led her to be honored as the Kane County Elementary Educator of the year.

Now retired for 20 years, she focused her attention on serving others as an involved member of her church, and Kiwanis-Golden K. She was an active member, serving on multiple committees and in executive roles. It was such a proud moment for her, when in 2018, she was named Kiwanian of the Year.

She was an avid traveler, seeing the world with family and friends. She often spent some cold Chicago weeks in Florida with friends and most recently saw some of the Canadian west from the Rocky Mountaineer Canadian Railway.

Her greatest joy though was time spent with family. Any moment together was simply perfect. It was because of her that our family spent so many spring breaks in Hilton Head, gathered together for holidays, and (for some of us) cheered so loudly for her beloved White Sox. How excited was she, when she got to see their World Series win in 2005.

Don’t see these achievements and adventures as needs for her. She simply wanted to be with others. Every day was usually filled with plans to meet someone for lunch or coffee. A friend to anyone and everyone, Ginger certainly knew how to make all feel special and loved.

She was preceded in death by her husband, William P. Krichbaum and her parents.

Funeral service will be held 11:00 A.M., Monday, October 7th at the Congregational United Church of Christ, 40W451 Fox Mill Blvd, St. Charles.  Interment will be private at Prairie Cemetery, St. Charles. Visitation will be Sunday from 2-6:00 P.M. at Yurs Funeral Home, 405 East Main Street, (corner of Rt. 64 and Rt. 25), St. Charles.  Contributions may be made to the Congregational United Church of Christ.

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